What to Do? Part A: Learn about dichotomous keys! ØGo to What is the Key to Classification home page ØClick on What is a Key? ØClick the “Interactive Key” button to practice identifying some insects using a key ØClick on What are These? link to identify 8 Chesapeake Bay organism Part B: Practice identifying some water critters using a dichotomous key ØGo to Water Critter Key- Life in a Pond ØPick a pond critter from the Water Critters Guide (see handout) ØClick on the “START” link and see if you can identify it by answering the questions in the interactive dichotomous key. Part C: Construct your own dichotomous key! ØFind 3 different insects with some similarities and differences (see the Insect Field Guide on pp. of your textbook) ØDesign a key for the 3 insects with a partner. ØTest the effectiveness of the key by giving the key to another group in the class and see if they can follow through with the proper identification of your 3 insects. *Other ideas: Arthropods (live or pictures), insects (live or pictures), cut out different shapes from a piece of paper, leaves, flowers, fruit, nuts, etc.
Part A: Learn about dichotomous keys!
Ø Go to What is the Key to Classification home page
Ø Click on What is a Key?
Ø Click the “Interactive Key” button to practice identifying some insects using a key
Ø Click on What are These? link to identify 8 Chesapeake Bay organism
Part B: Practice identifying some water critters using a dichotomous key
Ø Go to Water Critter Key- Life in a Pond
Ø Pick a pond critter from the Water Critters Guide (see handout)
Ø Click on the “START” link and see if you can identify it by answering the questions in the interactive dichotomous key.
Part C: Construct your own dichotomous key!
Ø Find 3 different insects with some similarities and differences (see the Insect Field Guide on pp. of your textbook)
Ø Design a key for the 3 insects with a partner.
Ø Test the effectiveness of the key by giving the key to another group in the class and see if they can follow through with the proper identification of your 3 insects.
*Other ideas: Arthropods (live or pictures), insects (live or pictures), cut out different shapes from a piece of paper, leaves, flowers, fruit, nuts, etc.